Detroit Red Wings extend Olli Määttä for two years, $6 million. Why it makes sense
Among defenseman Olli Määttä's goals when he signed with the Detroit Red Wings was a desire to establish himself as a regular in the NHL.
"I know I have more in me," he said in July. He backed that up by growing his game in his first year with the Wings, and that led to Thursday's announcement he has received a two-year, $6 million extension.
Määttä had been eligible for unrestricted free agency this summer. The 28-year-old had five goals, 12 assists and a plus-five rating through 49 games this season. He has played on the second or third pairing, showing a smart, simple game and taking advantage of jumping up in plays and contributing offensively.
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The extension means the Wings have four defensemen under contract through next season: Määttä, Moritz Seider, Ben Chiarot and Filip Hronek. Pending UFA Jake Walman is likewise expected to be signed to an extension.
Määttä was part of general manager Steve Yzerman's free-agency haul last summer. The 6-foot-2, 207-pound native of Finland had spent the previous two seasons with the Los Angeles Kings, where he recorded 12 points (one goal), a plus-nine rating and 16 penalty minutes in 107 appearances from 2020-22. Määttä has played 10 seasons between the Pittsburgh Penguins, Chicago Blackhawks, Kings and Red Wings since 2013-14, compiling 153 points (35 goals), a plus-75 rating and 144 penalty minutes in 583 games, in addition to 27 points (5-22-27), a plus-28 rating and 24 penalty minutes in 85 postseason games.
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Originally drafted by the Penguins 22nd overall in 2012, Määttä won back-to-back Stanley Cup championships with the organization in 2016 and 2017. He placed fifth in voting for the Calder Trophy (awarded annually to the NHL's top rookie) as a 19-year-old after picking up 29 points (9-20-29), a plus-eight rating and 14 penalty minutes in 78 games during the 2013-14 season.
Contact Helene St. James at hstjames@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @helenestjames.
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Her latest book, “On the Clock: Behind the Scenes with the Detroit Red Wings at the NHL Draft,” is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Triumph Books. Personalized copies available via her e-mail.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Red Wings extend Olli Määttä for two years, $6 million
